There’s a new Christmas decoration at the Statehouse this year. And it’s anything but traditional.

Secularists have placed a banner on the second floor of the Statehouse to celebrate the birth of Rhode Island founder Roger Williams. He was born December 21st, 1603. The banner was erected by a group called the “Humanists of Rhode Island.”

According to its website, the banner is intended to be a counterpoint to the various religious displays now scattered throughout the Statehouse and to serve as a reminder that American government is secular by nature and design.

Governor Lincoln Chafee is responding to critics regarding the hot-button holiday tree controversy at the State House.

In a statement, the governor starts by saying, "In 2011, my first year celebrating December in the State House I gave a simple six word instruction to the planners of the annual tree lighting: 'Do what they did last year.' ”

Chafee was criticized in the past for describing the Statehouse Christmas tree as a "holiday tree."